A pensioner was said to be in a "critical but stable" condition yesterday (Thursday) after two days in intensive care following his rescue from a blaze at his home in Stanmore, Winchester.

Firefighters pulled Henry Thornton (77) out of the fume-filled flat at General Johnson Court on Tuesday evening and he was taken to the city's Royal Hampshire County Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

"He was half in and half out of a store cupboard. He'd obviously become totally disorientated in the black smoke," said leading fireman, Ian Wadmore.

"The fire had been burning for 20 minutes to half an hour and he was very lucky to be alive."

Mr Wadmore said the smoke detector in the flat and another outside the front door had melted in the heat. He added that there was no indication that either was working.

Firefighters believe the blaze began in the lounge.

"It doesn't look like anything untoward-it's not thought to be arson," said Mr Wadmore.

The alarm was raised by neighbour, David Church, after some youngsters drew his attention to smoke billowing from the flat.

His wife, Maureen, described Mr Thornton as a "lovely old boy" and said he had enjoyed a D-Day commemoration party at the weekend with other residents.

The sheltered homes are maintained by Housing 21, formerly known as the Royal British Legion Housing Association.

The site has a warden during office hours and residents have panic buttons in their flats to contact a central control room at other times.

Regional director, Simon Sweetinburgh, said smoke detectors were checked on a monthly basis, except in the case of those installed by residents.

"Housing 21 is already undertaking a fire safety review of all its courts. We will, of course, work closely with the fire brigade and take account of their report and any recommendations they may make."